The Nitrogen Cycle In The Aquarium And The Pond
All living creatures in the aquarium and the pond have an effect on the chemical
cleanliness of the water. The more polluting factors we will have, the more we would
like to have an efficient biological system which will be able to cleanse the water
from pollution.
Topics in this article:
Before we activate the aquarium, we must make sure that we have a satisfactory amount
of proprietary materials in the filter (made mostly of plastic) for bacteria growing.
The principle of such material is simple: increasing the surface area to volume
ratio. The bacteria we are interested in growing is surface-dependent. Thus, the
more “surface area” we provide them, the more area they have to grow on. Nowadays,
we have wide selection of materials to choose from in order to achieve this goal.
These materials differ in quality, and price.
The first activation of the aquarium signals a “green light” to a wide range of
processes. In order to preserve system integrity, we must follow a few rules . Mostly,
we will need to have patience, and in case we don’t have the patience, we will need
luck.
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It is possible to accelerate the rate of the biological process advancement in
the aquarium by adding bacteria additives to the aquarium waters. These additives
contain a bacteria culture which houses billions of wanted bacteria, in addition
to additives which accelerate the bacteria’s rate of development.
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After we have finished setting up the aquarium, we would like to add some fish.
At this stage it is important to remember, that a small number of fish must be added
first, in order to begin the growth of the positive bacteria in the aquarium. A
compound named ammonia is excreted into the water by the fish.
The effect of the number of fish in the water on the amount of ammonia in the water
will be seen in a few days. The desired bacteria “recognize” that the concentration
of ammonia in the water is rising. the rise in the concentration of ammonia in the
water accelerates the bacteria’s growth, due to the fact that the ammonia is the
bacteria’s food.
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In a case when we would like to avoid adding fish to the aquarium before it is
ready to receive them, we could add “distilled ammonia” straight to the aquarium
water, in order to raise the concentration of the ammonia in the water. By doing
so, we start the growth process of the positive bacteria. Using this method, we
avoid adding fish which may be diseased.
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Ammonia has a negative effect on the fish and water flora and their surroundings.
Ammonia has two forms in which it can appear in aquariums and ponds:
- If the PH level is lower than 7 – the substance is called ammonium, has the chemical
marking of NH4. This substance is less toxic to the inhibitors of the aquarium/pond.
- If the PH level is higher than 7 –the substance is called ammonia, has the chemical
marking of NH3. This substance is very toxic to the inhibitors of the aquarium/pond.
Using these bacteria, that exploit the ammonia in order to develop, we get rid of
the ammonia in the water. But, we are not finished yet, since these bacteria change
the form of the ammonia to a substance called “nitrite”. The raise in the concentration
of the nitrate will be noticed a week after the fish have been added to the water.
Similarly to the ammonia, nitrite is also toxic to the aquarium and pond inhibitors.
Less toxic then ammonia, but must be gotten rid of as well.
Like you may have guessed already, there are bacteria that harness the nitrate for
the purpose of growth.
However, even now, our work is not yet completed. The bacteria witch knows how to
exploit the nitrite, changes the substance to “nitrate”. Nitrate is a substance
which is much less toxic for the fish. We would Love to get rid of it as well, it’s
just that…there are no bacteria (aerobic – which will perform the process In combination
with oxygen ) that can use this substance.
In order to measure the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate concentration in the aquarium,
we must use a chemical test kit.
The test kit (each substance is measured separately) contains a material that is
used as an indicator for the tested material. Together with the indicator, comes
a test tube, and a legend. The test tube must be filled up to the marked height.
Afterwards, a number of drops must be dripped (according to the user instructions)
. After a few minutes, the water will change their color. Every color in the legend
gives an estimated indication to the amount of the tested substance in the water.
Such water tests are given free of charge to all of the costumers of Discus Ha-
Galil.
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Water tests kit
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In order to get rid of the nitrate remains, the water must be refreshed once in
a week to two. The amount of water that must be replaced is effected by the aquarium
density, number of feedings, type of food, and type of aquarium (flora aquarium,
cichlids aquarium, etc ) . During the water refresh, It is recommended to use anti-
chlorine.
Question: if in an aquarium, or a pond, there are no bacteria that know how
to harness the nitrate, how do the living creatures survive in nature? There is
no one who changes the water for them …
Answer: In nature, the plants are responsible for cleansing the water from
the nitrate. The plants absorb the material and use it as food.
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